Vodka.

UberEATS. We all know and love Uber, but until recently, I had no idea of the conPro tip: order in secret, plate on your own china, and dispose of the evidence. Take all the credit knowing full well you didn’t have to dirty a single dish. Check out the deliciousness delivered to our house Monday night served alongside The Bachelorette:

Amazon Prime. For $99 a year you get two-day or even two-hour delivery on all orders, access to an online on-demand media library, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Diapers, books, and miscellaneous baby paraphernalia magically appear at our door mere hours after they’re ordered. Good luck convincing me that there aren’t little elves living under my house anticipating my every need. Last year, one of those little elves delivered a Fire TV Stick that makes watching all sorts of streamed content (Netflix, Prime, HBO, etc.) a breeze. Prime’s streaming picks are also pretty great too.  Content-wise, they have a decent library of movies, a better selection of shows, and some stellar original content for your viewing pleasure, whether you choose to binge a series all in one go, or take your time and watch it gradually (The show Catastrophe is a solid choices for your evening entertainment).

Common Sense Media. A list about awesome stuff that helps this mom survive and thrive would be incomplete without some mention of television. This summer, when your children take a break from their sensory boxes, wooden toys, and mom-made Spanish scavenger hunts, you want them to watch something with at least a tad bit of redeeming value. The good news is that there are so many great shows and movies out there for kids these days-shows with serious educational value and moral lessons. Bad news? There is also some total garbage. How is a parent to tell the difference without having to personally vet every episode of every show? I’ll leave that to CommonSenseMedia.org. It is my go-to tool to decide what shows and movies are appropriate and edifying for the young audience in our home. Type in any movie or show in their search bar and you will see a great rundown of what to expect. The write-ups start with “parents need to know that…” and each program or movie has a recommended age and is rated on criteria including Educational Value, Violence & Scariness, Positive Messages, and Positive Role Models. You know your child and your standards, and this will help you determine the right watch for your family. See also: My love song to Daniel Tiger.

Instacart. Do you want to schlep cranky children across town in the cold, rain, heat or snow to buy in bulk? Me neither. Enter Instacart. You simply choose your store (Publix, Whole Foods, Costco, Kroger, etc.), put items in your online cart, and schedule delivery. Just today I had a Costco order delivered to my door. Magic. There is a small fee for delivery and some stores markup items a tad in exchange for the service, but there are days when it is most definitely worth it. And I figure we actually come out ahead financially because the possibility of impulse purchases is virtually eliminated. The only person who is sad about the invention of Instacart is my 4-year-old, whose first word was literally “sample.”

The YMCA. I have to include something on this list that requires leaving the house so here it is. The wondrous haven that is the YMCA has been a godsend to me since I became a mother. Some days I go for the exercise. Other (most) days I go for the childcare. Every mother needs the occasional break from her children shelovessomuch, and this is much needed me-time disguised as something virtuous. Whether I am taking a calorie torching class like Turbo Kick or reading mags and watching Bravo while “exercising” on the elliptical, I know my children are in the loving hands of trained YMCA professionals. The best part is so many of my friends are members that we get to enjoy some quality time together while our kids play with their little friends in the play center. Everyone wins.

I’ll leave you with a pic I snapped at Harper’s YMCA swim lesson a few weeks ago. We are hoping that her actual swimming ability will soon catch up with her off-the-charts confidence.

So what tools and tips and tricks and services and solutions have you been loving lately that I need to know about? Wonderful websites? Awesome aps? Favorite products? Other things that can be delivered to my door? Enlighten me!

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READ:

• Friday Night Lights. Did you know that our beloved TV show was based on a movie and that movie was based on a book and that book is a true story? Me neither. Author H.G. Bissinger spent a year profiling the town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian Panthers (AKA Dillon Panthers).   The book won the Pulitzer the year it was published and it was a truly fascinating read. They just published a 25^th anniversary edition that checks in on the Panther players and tells you what has come of them since the book came out.

• For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a Word of Impossible Standards. Jen manages to be honest, vulnerable, and funny, while also hitting on deep spiritual truths and insights. Her theology is practical and her expression of faith is accessible and attractive. Each chapter stands alone making it easy to read in small snatches. I was laughing, learning and nodding in agreement saying “amen sister” along the way.

• Why Not Me.  I love Mindy Kaling. She is one of the (many) celebrities that I feel like I would be friends with in real life. It was such a quick and delightful read and now I love her even more.

WATCH:

• 112 Weddings. Years after filming their weddings, a wedding videographer checks in on couples to see how it went since they said I do. In the words of the filmmaker, “this is a film about the mystery of marriage. What we enter marriage thinking it will be and what it turns out to be.”

• Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. This is a documentary about the history and mystery of Scientology. All I can say is that this sh*t is BANANAS. Such a fascinating watch and I’m still thinking about it. (Side note: Shortly after watching Going Clear I stumbled upon the doc There’s Something Wrong With Aunt Dianne . Whoa.  If you happen to catch them both, there are some striking similarities between the two seemingly unrelated films that we need to discuss.)

• Tig. I first learned of comedian Tig Notoro when she was featured on This American Life. I loved her unique style of comedy and her candor and humor when confronted with cancer among other major life events. This a film about her life and comedy the year after her cancer diagnosis. It is so very watchable in the very best way.

Now it’s your turn. What’s worth reading and watching these days? Specifically, what should My Man and I watch together next? Ideally something that can be streamed on-demand on Netflix or Prime because who has the time or patience for anything else.  To give you an idea of our shared tastes, the past few series we watched together were Bloodline, Broadchurch, Narcos and The Killing. As I type those out, I’m noticing that we tend to mutually gravitate towards murderous serial dramas.  Whatcha got for us to watch next? Bonus points for British accents.  Go!

Wearing: Snoozies. These slippers are like putting your feet in butter (or…uh…so I’m told). And in my current condition, comfort is king. I am most comfortable whilst wearing my loosely fitting cuddle duds and my generously proportioned loungeabouts and these cozy slippers complete the look when one has no intentions of leaving the house.

Doing: Some SERIOUS Nesting. Something about compulsively cleaning carpets and washing things in hypoallergenic unscented detergent makes me feel more ready for baby girl.  I suppose these little things are the only things that I really have control over in this whole baby making, baby baking project – so I am clinging onto them for dear life. No closet or junk drawer has escaped my magic manic touch and you could seriously eat a meal off the floor in our garage. The before & afters would blow your mind. Now I know people (Hi Mom! Hi Sis!) who live their lives constantly decluttered, sorted, stacked, sanitized and color coded, but I am not one of them. There’s certainly something to it–it feels good. Let’s see how long it lasts…

Endorsing: Folex Instant Carpet Stain Remover. Yep. I’m at an age and stage of life where I want to tell the world about a carpet spot cleaner. College Jennifer is rolling her eyes. Anyway, the nursery rug was in a bad way and making it less scary looking was top of my nesting to-do list. I did a quick poll of some trusted friends and the internets and the resounding responses far as carpet cleaner was concerned was Folex. Y’all, this stuff works. Stains gone. Instant gratification.

Eating: Cereal. Crispex has snuck his way back in the rotation and I have a feeling it’s here to stay. And somehow a box of Golden Grahams ended up in my grocery cart. It’s a real whodunit. Um, delicious.

Reading: The Girl on the Train (Suspenseful. Page turner. If you liked Gone Girl, read this.) The Opposite of Spoiled (Important.) Praying Through Your Pregnancy (One week left then onto the baby books). The Rosie Project (Just finished it. A true delight.).

Watching: Madmen, Meet the Press*, House of Cards, NewsHour**, Better Call Saul, and Face the Nation***

*actually BRAVO hits like Real Housewives of New York City and Southern Charm

**translation: Newlyweds: The First Year

***more like the TLC classics 19 Kids and Counting and Brides by Design

Loving: Harper. That child cracks me up on the daily. A few recent exchanges:

Me: “Harper, will you help me make this bed?”

Harper: “Mommy, you are a big girl and I think you can do it alllllll by yourself.” Then she clapped for me when I finished and said, “See, I told you that you could do it.”(It seems that the student has become the teacher).

—-

Me: “Your daddy couldn’t meet us for lunch today because he had a meeting with clients.”

Harper (a few minutes later, after some deep thinking): “Mommy? Do you think the lions daddy is meeting with are nice lions?”

—-

Harper (said very matter-of-factly): “Boys need a little more booty.”

Me: Silent. Completely silent.

What a relief to know that she is learning these key life lessons from top-40 radio songs.

Wondering: When will this baby come? Will I go a week past my due date like I did with Harper? What will it be like to juggle two children? Will she look like Harper? Will I remember how to do it? Will my heart really expand to fit all the love?

• Vacation
• Condiments
• The lottery
• My Man
• American Express
• Jason Hoppy and Tim Riggins
• Jillian Michaels
• Seabands (the cure for motion-sickness)
• Christmas
• Magazines
• Mizuno Wave Elixir running shoes
• A lot of other wonderful and/or delicious things

I have officially and publicly ridiculed and scorned:

• The tumultuous relationship between our former basement tenant and his girlfriend
• Heart-shaped engagement rings
• Our Landlord (who now lives in the basement)

I am delighted that the first list is far longer than the second.  After all, Dear Reader, you come here to be uplifted, informed, and complimented for your good looks and good taste—not to hear me gripe and complain about things that get me down. Ammaright?

To that end, I figured today would be a great day to share a list of things that I have been loving lately, in hopes that you will love them too.  I therefore bestow my highly coveted stamp of absolute approval on the following:

The TV show “Happy Endings.”

It is ridiculously clever. It’s so clever, in fact, that you can’t multi-task (like you are doing now) and you actually have to listen closely to catch the subtleties in the dialogue.  The cast…

My Man and I were worried that we were the only ones in the continental US watching this gem but good news!  Catch up on season one re-runs on Hulu or Abc.com and let’s meet back here for season two.

The phrase” What’s the best price you can give me?”

(Most effective when spoken with a combination of southern sweetness and I’m not here-to-be-jerked-around-ness.)  If you learn nothing else from me, please remember this: everything, I mean (mostly) EVERYTHING, is negotiable.  Use this phrase anywhere from the Jiffy Lube to the high-end furniture store or fashion boutique.  Try saying it in front of the mirror first, then take your new line on the road.

I guarantee 91% success in getting a better price than marked.  Sometimes they will cut you a deal on the spot.  Other times they may let you know of a future sale to hold out for, an available coupon, or a special price for a pair or a floor sample.  Saving money sure feels good because then you have more to spend.

ESPN 30 for 30.

I know, right? You’re thinking Jennifer, you usually only reference shows on channels like E!, Bravo and HGTV—how can you possibly be into any of that sports propaganda on ESPN? Well ladies, because of quality programming like 30 for 30, (and because I live with a boy) I now know that HD ESPN is channel 846.  And I have even been known to check out what’s on said channel even when not lovingly coerced by My Oneandonly.

30 for 30 is a series of 30 documentaries by different filmmakers that capture some of the biggest issues, events and stories that have happened in the past 30 years in sports.  If you like Ken Burns’ documentaries, Behind the Music, or chocolate-covered raisins from Trader Joe’s, you will like 30 for 30.  I have not seen all 30 (because clearly I devote most of my TV time to the channels mentioned above) but the ones I have seen are amazing.  The first one I saw was called “The Two Escobars,” about the interesting connection between coke-lord Pablo Escobar and soccer legend Andres Escobar.  It was incredible.

These documentary films each stand alone and are really well done and well directed.  And the DVD set would be an amazing gift for the man (or men—no judgment) in your world.

The band, “Noah and the Whale.”

I have been into this band for a while now, but until last night, I had never had the opportunity to see them live.  All I can say is damn. And wish I could see them again tomorrow. ((CLICK HERE for the setlist from last night with links to listen to the tunes.  Three cheers for the world wide web.))

Their studio albums are pretty good but their live show positively floored me. See them live in concert, I say!

Here’s another one for your enjoyment.

Oh! And another. (Certainly worth waiting out the 10 second commercial)

Check them out if they are playing in your city.  You will not regret it.

Edy’s Triple Cookie Fudge Sundae Ice Cream

Three different delicious flavors in one handy container!   Great idea or great idea?

And I bet the Triple Chocolate Peanut butter Sundae is really good too.

So that is just the tip of the iceberg of things I have been loving of late. What’s on your list??  Please share!